Dorothy Jeffery Bladen

Dorothy Jeffery Bladen, age 88, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2019 in Orem, Utah. She was born March 7, 1931 in Delta, Utah to Orvil F. and Donna Jane Petersen Jeffery, the 2nd of 7 children. Dorothy grew up in Delta and on the family farm on the outskirts of Delta. In addition to farming, her father owned and operated the local grocery store, Quality Market. She learned to work hard at home, on the farm and in the store.

She attended schools in Delta and Hinckley, graduating from Delta High School in 1949. Dorothy pursued her education at Branch Agriculture College in Cedar City. While attending BAC, Dorothy met and fell in love with Elwood Bladen. Elwood left for a tour of duty in Korea with the National Guard during the Korean War. After graduating from BAC in May 1951, Dorothy attended 2 quarters at BYU in Provo. When Elwood returned home, they were married June 4, 1952 in the St. George Temple, then spent their first “honeymoon” summer together working in Bryce Canyon. Elwood worked as a mechanic in the bus garage while Dorothy worked in the gift shop. They loved the Southern Utah mountains and canyons and many future family trips would take them back.

A move to Chicago for Elwood to attend TV repair school was a challenging adventure for thissmall-town Utah girl, having never lived so far away from home or family. After nine months in Chicago, Dorothy was happy to return to Utah for the remainder of her life, living in Delta, Logan, Rose Park, then back home to Delta in 1965. Dorothy and Elwood were the parents of 4 children, 3 daughters and 1 son. They found Delta a great place to raise a family. They managed a family furniture store, then later purchased the Delta Sears Catalog store. Dorothy and Elwood became very interested in health and nutrition, working as distributors for Shaklee Corporation, promoting and selling natural cleaning products and nutritional supplements, enjoying many friendships made through these business interactions. Once the children were grown and gone, they sold the Sears store and Dorothy returned to work at the new Quality Market until her retirement.

Dorothy loved music and had a beautiful soprano voice. She enjoyed participating in high school and college musicals, singing with the “Singing Mothers” and later with “Blue Notes.” She sang with her family at home and in the car when they traveled. She was always involved in choirs, often directing them. She passed her love of music on to her children. She also liked to sew and embroider, making many of her children’s clothes and teaching those skills to her daughters. She also enjoyed tying quilts. Dorothy made quilts for each of her grandchildren as they graduated from high school and when they got married. She made “lots” of quilts. During the Rose Park years, Dorothy and Elwood joined a bowling league and enjoyed their new activity together over the years. Several bowling trophies lined the shelves of their home.

Dorothy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, often serving in Relief Society or music callings. A calling to teach Gospel Doctrine offered a new challenge, but she studied hard and discovered that many people related to her simple teaching style. Those four years were a wonderful experience, increasing her understanding of the scriptures and giving her confidence to share what she learned. Dorothy, along with Elwood, filled an 18-month service mission as managers of the Delta Deseret Industries.

Family was always Dorothy’s top priority. She loved to have the family together and she loved to feed them. She wanted to attend every possible family event, not only for her own family, but generations of extended family. She loved family reunions and visiting. She and Elwood traveled up and down the state and back and forth to California and Arizona to visit, help family members or just be there for any special occasion. They enjoyed their many vacations with family, especially picnics, camping and spending time in Southern Utah Parks.

In February of 2013, Elwood’s health failed, leaving him paralyzed and bedridden for 7 months. Not realizing how long it would last, but accepting his wish to stay at home, Dorothy, with help from her children, sister Judy, and Hospice, cared for Elwood until his death in August 2013.

In August 2014, with encouragement from her family to have her closer, Dorothy sold her Delta home and moved to Orem. Due to health challenges caused by her weakening heart, Dorothy chose to move to Summerfield Assisted Living Center in April of 2017. During her 2 years at Summerfield she made many new friends and enjoyed participating in activities provided by the kind staff and volunteers.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 11 AM, at the Aspen 2nd & 8th Ward LDS Chapel,1485 North 800 West, Orem. Viewings will be held on Friday evening, 6:30-8:00 PM, at the Nickle Mortuary, 190 South Center St, Delta; and Saturday at the church, 9:30-10:40 AM, prior to the service. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at the Delta City Cemetery.